During a meeting with leaders of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), the prime minister said he wanted to buy time before the parties go for a new coalition so that he could take fresh initiatives towards a national consensus government.
"As a force fighting for change in the country, the pro-Madhes parties are close to us agenda-wise and can play a crucial role in settling the current political impasse," Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) leader Hridayesh Tripathi, a participant in the meeting, quoted the prime minister as saying.
"He [prime minister] said our delay in supporting the UML would keep the doors open for a national consensus government," said Tripathi. "We told him that he missed a golden opportunity to lead a consensus government and stop the country from becoming polarizing."
Senior leaders of the Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF), TMDP and the Sadbhawana Party who were at the meeting urged the prime minister not to obstruct the House where all disputed issues could be settled.
While appreciating the prime minister´s generosity in resigning from office, the Madhesi leaders said it was not moral for him to continue obstructing House proceedings.
They also suggested the prime minister take up the issue of the President´s move in parliament itself. "The case is at the Supreme Court," said Sadbhawana leader Rajendra Mahato. "The court could be the right place to settle the issue."
Prime Minister Dahal said he was not going to talk about the formation of a new government until President Dr Ram Baran Yadav´s move to retain army chief Rookmangud Katawal in office is rectified. He, however, appealed for the Madhesi parties´ support to again form a government under Maoist leadership.
"We have sought the support of the Madhesi parties in our fight against the President´s move rather than in government formation," said Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha.
Prime Minister Dahal also complained about betrayal by leaders of the CPN-UML and MPRF over the army chief issue. "They gave me a go-ahead on the issue but later retracted their words, leaving me in the lurch," he was quoted as saying.
Will MPRF join UML-led coalition?
Placed in a minority in the party´s Parliamentary Party, MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav and Co-Chair JP Gupta have come up with a plan to support the UML-led coalition from outside but not to join it.
Not to annoy their friend of nine months, Unified CPN (Maoist), Gupta suggested that the joint-panel UDMF not join the coalition government immediately but support it from outside.
A meeting of the UDMF panel and top leaders agreed to Gupta´s suggestions after studying commitments made by Nepali Congress Acting President Sushil Koirala and UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal Tuesday afternoon.
According to a source at the MPRF, a majority of the members (28 to 30) in the 51-member parliamentary party are in favor of joining the UML-led government. Bijaya Gachhchhadar leads the group.
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